Perpetual Calendar/Pen Holder

Introduction: Perpetual Calendar/Pen Holder

Make a perpetual calendar with magnetic numbers that can be moved each month. The magnetic numbers can be put on any metal surface but why not put them on a decorated food can and have a multi use pen holder?

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I am aware that this is a similar idea to www.instructables.com/id/Keylendar/
The ideas for my instructable were completely formed before I checked to see what was already on Instructables. I think my idea if different enough to warrant a new instructable.
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Step 1: Materials:

Magnetic sheet
from magnetic L Plates
from promotional magnets
from saving all the magnetic strips from the back of old promotional calendars

Card from food packets
This is what you'll write your numbers on

Marker pens/Ruler/Scissors/Pencil/Pens/Glue

Clear sticky tape
This gives the numbers a protective coating

A food can
425gram or 1lb is a good size.

Gift wrap paper
The paper is wrapped around the can to decorate it.
This gives you the chance to be creative by choosing paper that suits the person the calendar is for

Step 2: Draw Your Numbers

Draw grid lines on your card about 12mm or half an inch apart. That spacing suits the 425g/1lb can that I used. If you use a can bigger than that then increase the grid size so that it looks right. However you might not have a roll of sticky tape wide enough to cover the strips. You could always get messy and use clear sticky book covering.

If you want to be careful, also draw in extra lines inside of each grid. These extra lines at the top and bottom will be what you draw your numbers between.

I drew my lines with pen and then filled them in with a felt tip marker. This is where you can be creative and do you own thing.

If you like you can draw over the main grid lines in felt tip marker as well.

Note that at the bottom of the photo are the letters for the days of the week. These will be cut off later so it doesn't matter that it was at the bottom.

I like having Monday first, but if you like the more traditional way of putting Sunday first, then go ahead.

Step 3: Cut Into Strips

Cut the number grids into vertical strips. There is no need to cut them into individual numbers.

Step 4: Sticky Tape Your Numbers

You'll need a roll of sticky tape that is wider than your strips. 18mm or 5/8 inch should be fine. In my experience this is considered to be wide sticky tape.

Cover each number strip with sticky tape. Fold over the tape at the sides and stick to the back. Then fold over and stick down the little tabs left at the top and bottom.

Step 5: Time for the Magnets

Turn over your number cards and glue on the magnetic strips that are cut just a bit smaller than the card.

Step 6: Decorate the Can

Choose gift wrap that appeals to you or the person you're giving it to. Little patterns will probably look better.

Or use sticky book covering with nice hologram patterns or something else appealing.

Step 7: For the Shorter Months

For all the months that only have 30 days and for February that has either 28 or 29 you will need three little number blockers. Just cut these out from the same food packet and leave blank. Once again cover them with sticky tape. Put a dab of blu tac on the back of each one and stick them to the inside of the can just inside the rim until needed.

Step 8: Put Your Numbers in the Right Place

Glue or blu tac on the days of the week strip. Magnets won't hold very well because it curves around the can. You don't need to move it around so gluing it is fine.

Look at a calendar you've already got. For the current month, find out what day of the week the 1st is on. Put that strip on first. Then put the rest on until you get to the end of the week. So going by the picture below, you'll put 1, 2 and 3 on. Then work backwards from 1. Put 7 on next followed by 6, 5 and 4.

As you can see there is no label for the name of the month. You can always add that on if you like.

There is lots of room for your creativity to shine here, so have fun making this.

Magnets! I love it. I was thinking it was one of those sliding puzzle things. Which would be super fun too. Do you find the magnets get knocked off easily or do they stay put? I'm pretty reckless around my workspace and things do tend to get knocked over a bit. . .

Yep, they might get knocked off if it's in a cluttered area with elbows flying everywhere. Potential ways around this would be to not have a paper covering on that area of the can or at all so that the magnets would stick better. Or to reduce the weight of the magnets by covering them with paper instead of card.